Sports
Dan Hurley hungry for 'rare' 3-peat at UConn as Big East rigors await
Apr 5, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley speaks at a press conference during practice before the 2024 Final Four of the NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow/Arizona Republic-Imagn Images NEW YORK — Eleven tables wrap around the Madison Square Garden court at Big East media day. At 10 locations, reporters flit in and out to interview coaches and players. At the UConn table, a three-deep throng of media camps out without budging, long before any Huskies representatives arrive.
Dan Hurley was the main attraction Wednesday as the two-time defending national champion coach returned to the arena synonymous with Big East basketball, where he and the Huskies cut down the nets last March before tearing through the NCAA Tournament.
Hurley hasn’t been shy about what he dubbed the elephant in the room, reminding his players since June about UConn’s opportunity to be the first three-peat champion since John Wooden’s UCLA teams ran the table from 1967-73.
Hurley’s message: “The season that we’re gonna embark on is gonna be rare in terms of what we can accomplish,” he said, “to literally join those UCLA teams from a history of the game, historical opportunity, and how you (must) give everything that you absolutely have to reach that level of sport.”
Two weeks ahead of the new college basketball season — and 4 1/2 months removed from declining a job offer from the Los Angeles Lakers — Hurley performed the balancing act of defending the Big East and UConn from a national “lack of respect” while fielding questions about his university’s recent flirtation with the Big 12.
Discussions stalled in September, but they indicated UConn’s continued and public interest in searching for a future home that benefits football as well as basketball.
“I understand those conversations that are going on externally, but I have very little influence on those things,” Hurley said. “By the same token, there’s not a better fit than the Big East for UConn from a basketball standpoint. It’s a perfect fit between both parties.”
Hurley was in touch with Big East commissioner Val Ackerman while the Big 12-UConn talks were percolating and expressed to her how much he loved coaching in the Big East.
Ackerman introduced Hurley as a “future Hall of Famer” at the outset of media day while touting her conference’s NCAA Tournament record — Villanova and UConn have fielded four of the past eight national champions. Yet the Big East’s mere three bids to the 2024 tourney still stuck in Hurley’s craw, as did the light representation in the AP preseason poll and All-America teams.
“I can already see it in the AP poll, the lack of respect that the Big East gets from that standpoint,” Hurley said. “… We got buried by the committee last year. That was clear, once the tournament started, too, based on those results.”
Perhaps fittingly, UConn begins its three-peat quest ranked No. 3, behind Kansas and Alabama. Working against the Huskies is the loss of four starters to the NBA: Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer. It could have been all five, but forward Alex Karaban decided to return to Storrs in pursuit of his third title.
For the Huskies, who had similar turnover after the 2023 championship, that’s old hat.
“I guess maybe with just losing four starters to the NBA, we still believe — based on everything we lost the year before, losing three with two key bench pieces — that we’re not in uncharted territory,” Hurley said. “We’re very comfortable having lost a lot, because we just lost a lot and were even better.”
Aidan Mahaney, a career 37.5 percent 3-point shooter from Saint Mary’s, projects as this year’s Spencer. Samson Johnson will fill more of a “point center” role in contrast to big men Clingan and Adama Sanogo before him.
Then there’s Karaban, the do-it-all wing who had already returned to UConn when Hurley entertained the Lakers’ interest in him. Karaban felt the Huskies are stronger having gone through that wait-and-see period.
“It was stressful. It’s obviously not the news that you’d want to hear, selfishly,” Karaban said. “But for Coach Hurley I was beyond happy because he’s changed my life, he’s changed countless other players’ lives, too. He deserved to go out there and make a decision for himself and his family. We were all just happy that he did that, and we were all happy that he came back.”
UConn will have plenty of challengers during its bid for another Big East banner. Here are the three teams with the best shot and dethroning the Huskies:
Marquette
UConn finished comfortably atop the Big East preseason coaches’ poll, but coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams. Hurley picked Marquette No. 1, a sign of the respect he has for Shaka Smart’s program.
The Golden Eagles have 56 wins the past two seasons and fell to UConn in the Big East championship game last March. The returning firepower includes Kam Jones (17.2 ppg, 40.6 percent from deep) and veteran David Joplin (10.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
“We were torn between probably Creighton and Marquette,” Hurley said. “Maybe what put them over the top was just bringing back more guys, and then the fact that we played them in the Big East championship and they were the champs the year before.”
Creighton
Creighton checked in No. 2 in the preseason poll after reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years. The Bluejays get one more year of 7-foot nightmare Ryan Kalkbrenner anchoring the defense. Kalkbrenner was named Big East preseason Player of the Year.
The Bluejays were the most recent team to defeat UConn — Feb. 20 in Omaha — and a rivalry is brewing, the schools’ distant proximity notwithstanding.
“They’re an elite team,” Kalkbrenner said. “There’s a reason they’re back-to-back national champions. It’s always fun when you’re able to have that kind of rivalry with such a good team.”
St. John’s
Big East basketball would hit new levels of entertainment if Rick Pitino’s Red Storm play to their potential and make a run at UConn. Pitino has put together a talented group headlined by Big East first-team guard Kadary Richmond (who left rival Seton Hall) and backcourt mate RJ Luis.
There was some beef last season between the two title-winning coaches, but Hurley and Pitino appeared to have put it behind them and complimented one another’s programs.
“They’re so far above us right now that that’s not a goal of ours,” Pitino said. “Our goal is to get better each and every day and see where that takes us. (Comparing) programs is not what gets you there.”
–Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
